The 2026 Francophonie Summit in Phnom Penh: what to know

The 2026 Francophonie Summit in Phnom Penh is shaping up to be one of the most important international events Cambodia has ever hosted. For only the second time in Asia after Hanoi in 1997, the Francophonie Summit will be held in Cambodia, from 13 to 17 November 2026. More than 90 countries and governments are expected, with Heads of State and government gathering under the aegis of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF).

For founders, investors and companies watching Cambodia, the Francophonie Summit is not just a diplomatic milestone. It is a rare, concentrated moment where the whole Francophone world, and a large slice of Asia's innovation ecosystem, converges on Phnom Penh at the same time.

What is the Francophonie Summit?

The Francophonie Summit brings together Heads of State, government leaders, international organizations, businesses and civil-society representatives from across the French-speaking world. The 2026 edition is the 20th in the summit's history and gathers delegations from five continents, spanning Europe, Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania.

It is far more than a political gathering. Around the official summit sit a Village de la Francophonie, business forums, and, crucially for the tech ecosystem, FrancoTech, the summit's dedicated economic and technology exhibition.

100,000 visitors expected in Phnom Penh

Five days of events will culminate with the official 20th Francophonie Summit on 15 and 16 November. The Kingdom expects more than 100,000 visitors over the week, making it one of the largest international gatherings Cambodia has organized. Hotels, venues and the city's new convention infrastructure at Koh Pich are all being mobilized for the occasion, and the government has framed the summit as a showcase of a modern, open, fast-growing Cambodia.

Tech at the heart of the programme: FrancoTech

The summit's economic and technology strand, FrancoTech, takes place at Koh Pich from 14 to 16 November 2026. This is where the innovation story of the Francophonie Summit is told, with governments, companies, investors and startups exhibiting side by side. Organizers expect more than 5,000 visitors, 110 exhibitors and around ten national pavilions.

La French Tech Phnom Penh will run a dedicated pavilion at FrancoTech and host its own French Tech Asia Forum: an international communities evening, startup-investor business matching, thematic roundtables and receptions. For a startup, it is a chance to meet government delegations, executives of major groups and investors from across the Francophone world and Asia, all in one place, in one week.

Public-sector connections

Beyond networking and business development, the week gives participants a rare opportunity to engage directly with senior Cambodian public-sector stakeholders. Ministries expected to engage with the forum include Education, Youth and Sport, Commerce, Posts and Telecommunications, Women's Affairs, and Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation, along with the Cambodia Tourism Board. For a company exploring market entry, those touchpoints can open the door to institutional partnerships and practical regulatory dialogue.

How to take part

Whether you are a startup, an investor or a partner, you can register your interest for the French Tech events during the summit week. Places at flagship sessions are limited, and early registration helps the team tailor introductions and business matching. The Francophonie Summit only comes to Cambodia once, this is the moment to be in the room.